Band_Groupie

Heartburn is the most common side-effect of banding and for many the only symptom is a 'lump in the throat' feeling (no burning, but some, like me, have both)...also known as the 'globus sensation'. There's a fair chance you could be too tight and need a slight unfill. Take this seriously before you develop a bigger problem...it might loosen up in a few days, but keep a close eye on this and call your doc if it doesn't go away. Read (click) 10/21/09 Feel the Burn - LAP-BAND for more info. Best wishes! -BG

We happened to be at Kohl's tonight so I bought one of the Flexees ones to try. I tried on both the one that has thigh and tummy control and then the 'Ultimate' control one with thigh control (both came above the knees to just below the bra line and both list 'firm control'). I liked the 'Ultimate' one better because it had nice wide bands with a sticky backing at both the top and at the thighs. The other one had just a thin line of elastic top and bottom that left more of a line. They both seemed to give the same kind of support...I was surprised the one I picked didn't say tummy control, but it seemed to do the same job...actually the one with tummy control gave me rolls when I sat down where the seams went across the stomach (just because of how it was constucted). The one I picked didn't have seams there, so it didn't give me tummy rolls. I'll let you know how it goes and I'll take a look at the other ones too. Thanks again!

I developed reflux for the first time in my life after my fourth fill (never had my gall bladder removed). It was never a problem at night nor did I develop any more tightness (both red flags that you should go for a slight unfill). I was also developing a UTI (unrelated) at the same time so I was drinking gallons of cranberry juice (VERY acidic so it probably added to this). I started the Nexium right away (I've read it has a healing rate of 90% in 9 weeks if you take it right away). Nexium or any PPI isn't something you want to be taking long term as they shut down all your digestive acids completely. I've stopped them now (after 9 weeks), but still have a little relux that I'm treating with Tums and Papya Enzymes...I've got Pepcid in case I need it. There was a study that came out this year that showed that those on a PPI developed an over-production of acid when stopping a PPI (even with people who didn't have reflux to begin with) so make sure you use something else for awhile if you're stopping a PPI. I'm hoping this resolves itself soon. Oh, and people should know that reflux sometimes presents ONLY as a 'lump in the throat' feeling with no burning, but sometimes both. Reflux is supposed to be THE most common side-effect of banding...I believe it. It's something to be watched closely as you don't want to develop much worse esophagus problems...even cancer. Best wishes all. -BG

I've never been a big 'New Year Resolutions' person. Most years I don't set any, although I have often started or recommitted to a diet in many a January. After a Fall of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas and all the food/treats those holiday's bring, January always seemed to be a good month for dieting. New Year's is always I time I seem to reflect on the good and bad events of the past year. No doubt that this will certainly be a year I'll always remember as a very good one. My only resolution last year was to finally put myself at the top of the list and do whatever it took to start getting healthy again. - I improved my Osteoarthritis and arm mobility with Physical Therapy - I got my Incontinence (failed sling & hysterectomy) under control…thank you Vesicare - My DD graduated from college, moved home, and got her first, then second 'real' job - DS1 graduated from HS and moved to/started college - DH and I celebrated our 50th birthdays and our 27th Anniversary - We had an 80th surprise birthday party for my Dad - We vacationed at Seabrook Isl. w/the in-laws, and DH and I vacationed in Sedona and at the Grand Canyon (my first visit) - I got my LB and lost 74 pounds this year (plus 2 whoo in 2008) *Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book I've got a few personal and family ones I'm setting as well, but I'll leave it at that… Anyone have some resolutions they want to share? Happy New Year all!

I don't track calories, except every now and then, but having been a professional dieter I have a pretty good idea. Most days I'm between 1000-1500. I went through a period after my last fill where I figured out I wasn't eating enough calories and my WL stalled. If you're exercising a lot more than usual right now you might try upping your calories a little more and see what happens. Good luck!

*Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book The golden retriever weighs 75# This baby panda weighs 75# This leather chair weighs 75# This sea kayak weighs 75# This portable table saw weighs 75# Here's 75# of pumpkins ...and here's a 75# tuna

Andrea...you'll be there before you know it. Here's the link to the 5 day pouch test... Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test BTW...8 miles in one day...you're my hero!

172.5 Another one pound week...I'll take it with a smile! Happy New Year!

Perfect way to get positive is to be it...you're doing it right. I had 20 years of major yo-yo dieting and I got the band not to help me lose it (again), but to keep it off. I was more excited than anything coming up to my band date, but even I was nervous and had moments where I couldn't believe I had gotten to the point of needing WLS. Anyone who says they weren't at least a little nervous is probably just fooling themselves. The fact that you can lose it means that you'll have the committment needed to use the band properly...you're going to do great! -BG

Congrats!!! Way to go!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR BUNNIES!

I'm so glad there are others approaching this the same way! Here's to NO MORE diets! Happy New Year...it's going to be a great one for us all!! -BG

CONGRATULATIONS Bander! Feel better soon! -BG

I'm assuming you've been to a seminar that gives you information on the WLS your doc performs...so my doctor consult was my chance to ask any specific questions I still had; select the type of surgery, discuss anesthesia, recovery, fills, port placement, etc. I went to this with a written list as it was my only chance to meet with the doc before surgery. Best wishes! BG

Congrats! Keep doing that happy dance...you're doing great! -BG

Thanks gals! Good to know there's ones that won't roll! I'll check them out! -BG

Owwww! You're amazing GF! I'm sore from the Wii Fit super hula hoop even...Tony Horton...now that's scary! Go Girl! -BG

Hope this note finds you home and banded! Let us know how you're doing...feel better soon! -BG

Try the '5 day pouch test' (search here on LBT) to get back on track. -BG

CONGRATULATIONS Bander...rest up! -BG

It's amazing isn't it?! Remember even skinny people don't eat the same every day and indulge now and then...we're just learning how to do it without OVER-indulging. :-) -BG

CONGRATULATIONS Bander! Keep on sip, sip, sipping...hydration is key (loved the SF popsicles). -BG

Thanks for the support! -BG

Hey there...I'm here. I also developed a reflux issue after my fourth-'sweet spot' fill and here's my 2 cents. I started Nexium right away and continued it for a few months. I'm just starting off of it (at my PCP's advice) and we'll see how it goes (using other things like Tums, as Nexium can cause an overproduction of acid when you stop it). I'm definitely at perfect restriction...can still eat all foods and not hungry between meals, but I know that reflux is the most common banding side-effect (I've never had it before). I didn't have to get an unfill as the reflux was controllable and I wasn't having problems while sleeping (a red flag you're too tight). I'd suggest you start back slowly with fills...it seems to be a delicate balance, but I do know that how tight you want to be is very much a matter of choice (ie. I prefer to still be able to eat all foods, some like it tighter). Best wishes! -BG

JMO- PBing/and/or/vomiting are more damaging than getting stuck. For me, many times these both go hand in hand...I get stuck and then I PB it up. When I don't PB though, the stuck item eventually passes...you can't stretch your band (where the stuck item is) and I don't know how a stuck item would stretch your pouch...only putting too much food in at a time can stretch it (but you can cause your stoma to swell some from something getting stuck so you need to 'baby your stoma' following a stuck episode as you may become more restricted for a short time). I suppose if you continued to eat (more than your pouch size) ontop of a stuck item you could say that the stuck item helped cause a stretched pouch. I was taught by my doc that most PBing is NOT from something stuck in the esophagus, but rather, something stuck in your new stoma, at the bottom of your pouch. Now I have had things 'back up' into my esophagus from eating too fast, but that's not the same thing. BTW- I agree with Jachut that PBing a lot is usually a sign that you're too tight...most people hate PBing so much they quickly learn the proper way to chew enough, so if it continues it's usually not 'operator error', but the fact that you're too tight...and it can be VERY risky/dangerous to your band. *She tiptoes quietly back to her corner*